Our Board

Ms Elthies (Ella) Kris

A/Prof CPHMVS(JCU), MPH, GDipIndigHProm

Appointed: 18 May 2019

Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2024

As well as being the Chair of our Board, Ms Elthies (Ella) Kris also holds the following positions:

• Chair, Executive and Performance Committee
• Member, Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Ella brings more than 20 years of experience within the health industry. This includes corporate, primary health care and public health.

As a volunteer with Torres Shire Council she leads, supports, and empowers health changes within her community of Thursday Island.

Her current role with Torres Strait Island Regional Council includes developing, planning and implementing sustainable health related activities in council communities.

Ella has a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion and a Master of Public Health.

She's also an Adjunct Associate Professor within James Cook University’s College of Public Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science.

She is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, with cultural connection to the land and sea from her father from the Mabuiag, Saibai and St Pauls and her mother from Mer and Erub. She carries and lives by her mother’s totem Serar (tern bird).

Dr Scott Davis

PhD IndSoc&EcCapBldg, MIPH, GradCertARLP, DipEd

Appointed: 18 May 2016

Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026

Dr Scott Davis is the Deputy Chair of our Board.

He also holds the following positions:

• Chair, Safety and Quality Committee
• Member, Executive and Performance Committee.

Scott has worked in regional, rural, and Indigenous health and development. He's committed to addressing the social determinants of health for rural and remote Indigenous committees.

He has more than 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles within the health, education and research sectors and more than 20 years of board experience.

Scott holds a range of directorships in the commercial, not for profit and community sectors.

He holds a Doctorate in Indigenous Community Capacity Development and a Master's in International Public Health.

Ms Karen Price

MEd, PGDipVocEd, BAgrSc(Hons), AdvDipCommSecMgmnt, MAICD

Appointed: 11 December 2015

Current term: 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2024

Ms Karen Price is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

• Member, Audit, Risk and Finance Committee
• Member, Executive and Performance Committee.

Karen lives in Cooktown and has been involved with community organisations and regional based projects and management for the past 16 years.

She is CEO of the Cooktown District Community Centre where she operates a training and development project for young people and vulnerable job seekers through a social enterprise model.

Karen served 8 years as a councillor for Cook Shire. She's also a former manager of the Cape York Hospital and Health Service Learning and Development Unit.

Ms Susan Hadfield

BScN, CertIVTA, CertTLQM, CertTLQM(NDIS)

Appointed: 19 September 2020

Current term: 1 September 2020 to 31 March 2024

Ms Sue Hadfield is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

• Member, Safety and Quality Committee
• Member, Executive and Performance Committee.

She's worked in clinical nursing, leadership, and management of clinical services roles throughout Queensland for over 40 years.

Now retired, Sue is committed to improving the delivery of health services and outcomes for people in rural and remote communities.

She offers experience and advocacy for reforms that are sensitive to indigenous people and rural and remote communities.

Sue led the coordination of cancer service projects and service reforms across Far North Queensland rural and remote communities. These reforms improved patient experience, timeliness, and access to services.

Mr Darren Thamm

BCom, FCA(Aust), CIA, RCA

Appointed: 18 May 2021

Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31 March 2024

Mr Darren Thamm is a member of our Board and also Chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Darren has more than 20 years of experience in commerce and public accounting across a wide number of industry sectors.

He's a fellow chartered accountant, a registered company auditor and a certified internal auditor.

He's acted as auditor for a wide range of clients across local government, indigenous organisations, charities and not for profit community organisations.

Darren is a partner of Jessups NQ, a specialist auditing and assurance firm based in North Queensland.

He's also presented training courses in accounting and audit for universities and professional accountancy bodies.

Ms Marjorie Pagani

BA(Hons), LLB, DipMed, DipArb, FDRP, CPL, GAICD

Appointed: 18 May 2021

Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31 March 2024

Ms Marjorie Pagani is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

• Member, Safety and Quality Committee
• Member, Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Marjorie has lived in far north Queensland most of her life.

She has more than 30 years’ experience in law, mediation and arbitration, holding board positions in the private, public, and government sectors.

She began her profession as a barrister in 1991, primarily involved in the Children’s Court and representing young people on Palm Island.

She held the rank of Squadron Leader with the RAAF's specialist legal corps for 17 years.

Marjorie is also the CEO of Angel Flight, which offers free non-emergency medical transport flights for people in rural and remote areas.

Marjorie is a member of the James Cook University Council, where she is Chair of the JCU Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee and Deputy Chair of the Estate Committee.

She's also the Founder and General Manager of AFARM, a farm rescue charity based on the Atherton Tablelands.

Ms Karyn Sam

GDipIndigHProm, DipATSIPrimH, DipBusGov

Appointed: 18 May 2021

Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31 March 2024

Ms Karyn Sam is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

• Member, Safety and Quality Committee
• Member, Executive and Performance Committee.

Karyn is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman who lives in Seisia, Northern Peninsula Area of Cape York.

She has extensive knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, specifically primary health care.

Karyn has a great passion for health and social wellbeing, and has been involved with delivering positive health outcomes for the region.

She's worked in the primary health care sector for the past 16 years, including 7 years in management positions.

She's enjoyed the challenges involved with the business, and tailoring services to meet the specific needs of the community.

Tara Diversi

GAID, MBA, MND, GDipPsyc, PGDipPsyhc, APD

Appointed: 1 April 2022

Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026

Ms Tara Diversi is a member of our Board and also holds the following positions:

• Member, Safety and Quality Committee
• Member, Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Tara is an accredited practising dietitian working in all areas of dietetics.

She started her career in Cairns in 2003 working in both private practice and in public health nutrition throughout Cape York.

She's the CEO of Sophus Nutrition, a digital nutrition platform that improves accessibility and affordability of expert nutrition and dietetic care. This is done through a combination of evidence based nutrition with psychology, behavioural economics and technology.

Tara also holds the following positions:

• President and Chair of Dietitians Australia
• National Dietetic Adviser to the Department of Veterans Affairs
• Co-chair of North Queensland PHN and Entrepreneurship Facilitator for Cairns.

Growing up in Kunnunurra and Cairns, she's passionate about improving health and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and Papua New Guinea.